Vitamin C... A Daily Dose of Creativity

Surprise!

by Kim

As a freelancer, sometimes I do a little work for someone and I never hear back from them. Human nature being what it is, I am then convinced that they hate me and my work. A couple months ago, I did a handful of beaded pieces for Plaid. They gave me about a two minute deadline. Well, two days, really, but that is a super short deadline to ask someone to meet. But, I dug in and met it. I mailed my pieces in, they sent me a check, but they never communicated if I met their objectives or I completely failed... Nothing. Not one word.

So, imagine my surprise when I was wandering through Jo-Ann's tonight and saw this header to a new line of lampwork beads from Plaid. The bracelet on the left and the bracelet on the right are projects that I made them. Guess they liked them alright!

Wahoo!
Use your Vitamin C and be surprised!

Burn Baby Burn

by Kim

Just made these earrings.

I made these headpins with little flames. They are going to go in my next column in Bead Design Studio Magazine, except in a little different colorway.

Now, I am all interested in making headpins with different designs. I had fun making these and there are two other good things about making them: no mandrel dipping and no bead cleaning. Good things!

Use your Vitamin C!

The Language of Beads

by Kim

If you do not speak the language of beads, allow me to translate. This necklace says "thank you!"

I was commissioned to make a piece for the Director of Women's Ministries at my church, who I also count as a friend. Our women's ministries programs are meaningful and wide reaching. To say thanks, we gave her this necklace. It is not enough, but hopefully it is a start to letting her know we appreciate her and all she does for us.

I enjoy designing and making a piece for someone I know, especially if it is a gift that is expressing thanks. Working on it gives me a chance to think about and pray for that person. It becomes personal.

When I started thinking about what she might like, these blues came to mind. I don't often enamel my beads, but when I mixed colors on these, they turned out nicely. I made the beads with clear glass, and did not cover the beads completely with enamel. There are places, you can see into the bead. There is a nice mixture of texture and depth of color.

Thank you to our fabulous leader who uses her Vitamin C everyday!!

My Sheep Hear My Voice....

by Kim

Chair painting. Love it!

If you have never done, give it a try! It is an inexpensive project. Pick a chair you already own or one you find at the curb, free. Craft paint is inexpensive. You really then just need a couple of nice brushes, a can of clear glaze, and an idea. A painted chair is a handmade project that will last a long time, could even be an heirloom.

Take your Vitamin C and start painting...

Funnier Than Baseball

by Kim

I am watching the Tigers and surfing...and came across an article on Book Spine Poetry. I was intrigued and laughing, so I hopped right up off the couch and looked through my bookshelves to see what I could build.

Here is my first art installation of book spine poetry........

Even though the Tigers are not losing, that was pretty entertaining for me.

Use your Vitamin C and try it. What do you have?

You Will Want These Beads!

by Kim

Remember my friend She Who Has the Best Vintage Beads? Here is another necklace I made for her from some of her beads.

I had fun working with these little flowers. Cute, right? Sometimes plastic beads are just what the jewelry doctor ordered!

Use Your Vitamin C!

Flap Your Wings Blog Hop

by Kim

Today is the Flap Your Wings Design Challenge - Blog Hop. Two points to this challenge are to honor the artist Judy Glende, and to rise money for charity in her name.

I made this pendant. It is for sale in my Etsy shop. Proceeds from the sale of my pendant will go to my charity, CBC Divine Design. You will find the details of DD's current project on the same Etsy page where you find the pendant. I believe the money that comes from the sale of this pendant will be put to very good use.

Then, make a cup of tea, sit, and visit the blogs of the rest of the artists participating in this challenge/hop:

1. Tania Spivey

2. Lori Anderson

3. Kashmira Patel

4. Gail Accinelli

5. Rebecca Anderson

6. Rebekah Payne

7. Amanda Doyle Tibbetts

8. Kim Ballor

9. Rochelle Brisson

10. Sandra McGriff

11. Lana Kinney